Electric protective and signaling system



5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

0. E. ONGLE Y. ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE AND SIGNALING SYSTEM. No. 448,790

Patented Dec. 80, 1890.

(No Model.) I 5 SheetsSheet 2.

O. E. ONGLEY.

ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE AND SIGNALING SYSTEM. No. 443,790. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

TI S

WITNESSES: INVENTOB ATTURNEES.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

O. E. ONGLEY.

ELEGTEIG PROTECTIVE AND SIGNALING SYSTEM. No. 443,790. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

M INVENTURI ATTORiES.

(No' Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 4.

G. E. ONGLEY. ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

No. 443,790. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

WlTN S JQHHW ATTORNEYS (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

0. E. ONGLEY;

ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE AND SIGNALING SYSTEM. No. 443,790. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

WIflII/IIII/IIIIIIIIIIIII/I/I/I/I/I/ WITNESSES: 4 INVENTOR AITTTORNEYSI UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. OXGLIC Y, OF YOXKERS, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE AND SIGNALING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 443,790, dated December 30, 1890.

Application filed November 26, 1889. Renewed November 8, 1890. Serial No. 370,728 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. ONGLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Yonkers, in the county of Vestchester and tatc of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electric Protective and Signaling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an arrangement of electrical circuits and appaiatus for large buildings, such as factories and hotels, by means of which a complete system of indication may be provided at a central point of various operations which ocour in other parts of the building. Hy arrangement includes a watchmans time-indt eating apparatus or register arranged to be operated from any one of a number of points, and to give a permanent record of the time at which and the place from which the signal is sent in, so that the movements of the watchman will be accurately noted. The time-indicator is also arranged to indicate .l.e time when the engine in the building is started and shut down. The valve which controls the stopping and starting of the engine is arranged to be operated by an electro-magnet. and such magnet is also controlled from the ditterent parts of the building. Further, I connect my electrical system with a valve controlling the operation of a steam-pump or other fire-extinguishing apparatus and also with a fire-alarm apparatus.

Mv invention consists in the general system thus described, portions of which may, however, be omitted without departing from my invention, and also in various details of construction of the timeindicating apparatus, the signal-transmitters and other operating parts, and in the arrangement of circuits by which the object above named is readily accomplished, such matters being hereinafter specifically described, and pointed out in the claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram oi"; the circuits in the building containing my invention with gen oral views of the apparatus connected therewith; Fig. 2, afront elevation of the trans mittingbox with the front of the box removed; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the interior of the box; Fig. 4C, a front view of the indicator or receiver; Fig. 5, a front elevation of the same with the front plate and clock-dial removed; Fig. 6, a top view of the printing-wheels and feeding mechanism; Fig. 7, a section of the same between the printing-wheels, and Fig. 8 a top view of the ratchets and pawl which operate the printing-wheel.

The transmitting-box is of the general character known as an individual signaling box-that is, a signal-box adapted to send a definite number and arrangement of impulses to indicate the box-number.

A is the spring placed under tension by the handle B outside of the box, and when re leased turning the break-wheel 0, whose teeth make and break contact with the contactspring a, so as to transmit a signal which gives the number of the box, as is well. understood, the box shown giving first two impulses and then tour, so as to indicate the numberi l. Placed upon the operating-shaft isa contact-armb moved by the spring and handle in the same manner as the break-wheel. Supported in any suitable manner is a contact-spring I), insulated from the base, and from which a circuit-wire 1 extends to a spring 0 at the bottom of the boX, whose end projects over the inner end of acontactstem passing through the box and having a head E, and which when pushed up electrically connects the spring 0 with the spring 0 and closes the circuit from the wire 1 to the wire 2, which extends out from the box. The contact-spring D is placed beyond the point to which the arm I) is moved to send in the number of the box, so that in this operation the contact D is not affected. Still further in the path of movement of the arm I) is another contact-spring F, from which a wire 4 extends outside the box. A wire 3 extends from the signaling-spring a to an insulated binding-post, from which a wire 5 extends 9 ICC) thus three circuits which may be formed through the box described, one from the base of the boxthrough the break-wheel, contactspring a and wire 3 to wire 5; second, from the base through contact-arm 1), spring D, wire 1, springs c c to wire 2, and, third, from the base through contact-arm b, spring F, and wire 4. The first of these circuits is controlled by the break-wheel and spring a, the second by arm I) and spring D at one point and button E at another, and the third by arm I) at spring F.

The-indicator or register, which is placed at the office of the building or other central point, is illustrated in Figs. etto 8. Supported upon a suitable case or frame is a clock-dial, the'hands of which are operated by suitable clock-work which is not shown, but the mainspring of which is indicated by the circle G. The clock-movement is connected through any ordinary gearing to the wheel 'H, inside the case, provided with pins f on its face. A finger g at the end of an arm I, pivoted at h and retracted against an adjustable stop 1' by a spring K, projects so as to engage with the pins f, when the wheel 11 revolves. From the finger g a link L extends to a pivoted lever Mjwhose other end is supported by a spring N, and which has a tooth 7t engaging with a pinion Z, secured to the printing-wheel O, which is-arranged to be revolved at hour intervals. The printing-wheel O is preferably arranged to revolve at intervals of five minutes. This wheel has also a pinion Z on its outer face, which is engaged by a lever'M', supported in the same way as the lever M, and controlled also by the arm I. Depending from the arm I, on which it is pivoted,

is a dog P, which extends down between the two'type-wheels. The end of the dog P has a tooth, shaped as shown in Fig. 8, and the longer portion of the tooth engages with the teeth of a ratchetm on the minute-wheel and the shorter portion with a ratchet m on the hour-wheel. The ratchet m has one notch or deeper than the others, so that the dogP engages the hour-wheel only'when its long tooth enters the deep notch.

The printing-wheels are arranged to print on acontinuous strip of paper Q, which passes from a reel R between said wheels and a printing-bed S, carried at the end of a pivoted armature-lever T, controlled by an electro-magnet U. The feeding mechanism for the strip is operated by a spring V, which, through suitable gearing, is connected with a roller W, having a yielding surface, and the strip passes between said roller and a toothed wheel X, pressed against the strip by a spring Y. The feeding mechanism is normally held from moving by a pivoted detent Z engaging with notches of a wheel 0 of the feeding-train, and the end of the detent extends up close to the armature-lever T. Also connected with the armature-lever is a rod 19, which controls an escapement q for the feeding mechanism. In operation the clock-spring and the feedplying-battery.

ing-spring are both wound up, and the clockmovement turns the wheel H. The arms M and M are normally in engagement with the pinions Z Z, and the dog P is at the same time out of engagement with but in close proximity to the ratchet m. The wheel H revolves once in an hour, so that the arm I is lifted by the pins f once every five minutes. hen a pinf engages with the finger g, it lifts the arms M M, so that the type-wheels are made free to revolve, and lowers the dog P into engagement with another tooth of the ratchet m, and when the pin passes the finger the spring K lifts the dog P so as to throw the minute-wheel over one space and the arms M M drop back so as to prevent any further movement. At the twelfth movement of the minute-wheel the tooth at end of dog P drops into the deep notch of the ratchet,jso

that at this time both the minute-wheel and the hour-wheel are turned.

hen the magnet U is energized, it draws down the armature-lever T and throws up the printing-bed S against thestrip Q, so that the hour and minute are printed thereon. At

the same time the detent Z is released, but the escapement q is thrown up and prevents the movement of the tape at this time, so that there being no movement at the time of printing there is no danger of rubbing or blurring the record. As soon as the magnet is disenergized, however, the armature-lever drops and releases the escapement and the tape is fed out until the detent Z reaches the next notch in the wheel 0, whenthe feeding ceases until the magnet is again energized.

By operatingv an indicating or registering apparatu's of this general-character in connection with individual-signal transmitters, which forms an important feature of my invention, an indication or registryis'efiected at each operation of the transmitter not only of the time of such operation but of the number of the transmitting-box operated, since at each contact of the break-wheel with the contact-spring in the transmitter the magnet is energized and prints once, and the arrangement of the numbers printed on the strip will give the number of the box, as is illustrated in Fig. 6, in which the figures printed on the strip indicate that box No. 12 has sent in a signal at 7.20 oclock. I

Referring now to Fig. 1, A is the main'sup- I preferto provide also an auxiliary battery A and a switch r, which is for throwing the battery A into circuit'when required. Said switch also furnishes a convenient point from which'to extend the circuits to the different parts of the' building, and is preferablylocated in the engine-room. 13 represents mechanism for operating the throttle-valve of a steam-engine, and C that which controls the operation of a steam-pump. The engine-valve is controlled by an electromagnet D, but is also arranged to be controlled by hand when desired.

A terminal of the battery extends to the line-wire (i, which includes the operating-magnet U of the receiver and is connected to the base of each of the transmittingboxes E, which are in circuit, these being those in multiple are on the line, as previously explained. The wire 6 preferably terminates at a box E in the en gine-room or elsewhere. The contactspring F of each box is connected by the wire at with the magnet D, and thence to the switch 1' and the battery-terminal. The contactspring D in each box is, as before explained, connected by wire 1 to the push-button E, thence by wire 2 to the magnet D which controls the valve of the steam-pump C. I prefor to include, also, in this circuit a magnet G, which controls a local circuit 7 S, containing a battery H and a vibrating bell I, intended to be placed outside the building and to serve as a tire-alarm signal, it being placed in a local circuit instead of on the main circuit in order that a continuous alarm maybe given. The armature-lever of the magnet G is arranged to be locked when attracted by the magnet, so as to keep the local circuit closed and continue the signal at 1 until the armature is released by hand. I prefer to provide, also, an independent circuit 9 9, containing a push-button s, in the engine-room and a bellt in the office or elsewhere. The wire 5, which extends from the contact-springs a of the signal-boxes, may go direct to the battery; but I prefer to place therein a onestroke bell K, situated in the engine-room and provided with a switch at L for cutting it out of circuit, so that it mayor may not be used, as desired.

The manner of using the apparatus thus described is preferably as follows: The register being placed in the office and the transmitting boxes at convenient points throughout the building, the watchman in making his rounds will send in signals from the diiferent individual transmitting-boxes by turning the handle only far enough to operate the breakwheel, and this furnishes upon the recordstrip an indication of the time and the boxnumber, as already explained. If it is required to shut down'the engine from another part of the building in case of fire or other exigency, the handle of the nearest box is turned to its farthest point, which brings the contact-arms l) against the spring F, and so energizes the magnet D and moves the valve. This of course gives a greater number-of revolutions to the brake-wheel than in its normal operation,and as this is indicated on the register at the otlice by the time and box number being printed a greater number of times than usual, a record is obtained at the ol'lice of the fact that the engine was shut down from that box and at that time. This movement of the box does not affect the circuit controlled by the contact-spring D, this circuit being normally open at the push-button E but in case of fire, if it is desired to start the fire-pump C from any part of the building, the handle is turned to the point which brings the arms 1') against the spring D, and at the same time the push-button E is pushed up to close the circuit, so that the pump-valve is operated, and as the handle turns back the record of the fact of this operation is inscribed on the register, as before explained, the printing being accomplished a less number of times than in operatingthe engine-valve. This same operation will also cause the magnet G to close the local circuit and ring the bell I, if such apparatus is provided. The purpose of the bell K is to give the engineroom, if desired, a signal when. signals are sent in from the boxes, so that if the engine-valve or fire apparatus is operated from another part of the building the engineer will be informed by the number of strokes of the bell of the number of the box operated. By means of the push-button s and bell t the engineer may signal the office when necessary.

The box IE may be used to test the main circuit, since if when such box is operated the bell K responds it will be shown that the circuit is complete. This box is, however used by the engineer in shutting down his engine, so that the shutting down and the time of doing so will be registered at the ofiice.

It is evident that where fire apparatus is not provided in the building the contacts F in the transmitter-boxes maybe omitted, or such contact may be used in connection with a fire-alarm only, and not with fire-extinguishin g apparatus.

In the printing-register I may provide devices for inking the printing-wheels, if desired. I have, however, not shown such mechanism, as the same is well understood and because I prefer not to employ ink, but to stamp or emboss the numbers on the strip.

1 do not claim in this application the method of electrically recording signals which consists in imprinting upon a recording medium the figures indicating the time at which the signal is recorded in a succession of impressions corresponding in number and relative location to the number of the signal; nor, broadly, the combination, in a time-register, of time mechanism, type-wheels operated thereby, a motor for conveying a continuous recording-strip, a detent therefor, an electromagnet, and an armature for said magnet carrying a printing-bed beneath said strip and in proximity to said type-wheels and controlling said detent, since said subject-matter is claimed in my application, Serial No. $8,947, filed April ll), 1890.

hat I claim is- 1. The combination, in a watchmans timeregister, of time mechanism, type-wheels,a dog for turning the type-wheels, a pivoted arm for moving said dog, controlled by said time mechanism, and stops for the typewheels, also controlled by said arm, substantially as set forth.

The combination,in a watchmans timeregister, of time mechanism, the wheel H, pro} vided with pins and turned by the time mechanism, the pivoted arm I, engaging with said pins,'the dogP for'turning the type-wheels, carried by said arm, and the stop-arms lWI and M also'c arried b said arm and enga in 1 y a a a with said type-wheels, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a watchmans time-register the impression device of which is operated by an electro-magnet, ot' individ having its type-carrying mechanism controlled by time mechanism and. an electroin'agnet operating the printing mechanism and in the circuit of said transmitter, whereby the number of time-indicating impressions indicates also the number of the transmitter operated, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a signal-transmitter having a break-wheel with contact-points 'arranged to make and break circuit with a contact-spring, and so to transmit successive electrical impulses corresponding with the number of the box, of a time-register having in combination time mechanism, type wheels controlled thereby, printing mechanism, an electrodnagnet, and an armature for said magnet, carrying a printing-bed in' proximity to said type-wheels, said magnet being in the circuit of said transmitter, whereby the nu mber of impressions of the type-wheels indicates also the number of the transmitter operated, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, in an individual-signal box, with a break-wheel and contactspring for giving the numerical signal, of an additional circuit-controller in a circuit normally open at the box only controlling the circuit of other electrical apparatus, whereby the individual signal and the other electrical apparatus are both operated by the signalbox mechanism, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the motor, breakwheel, and contact-springof an individualsignal box, a time-register connected therewith by an electric circuit, an additional contact-arm moved by the motor, and a contactpiece in the path of said arm in a circuit open at the box only for controlling the circuit of other electricalapparatus, substantially as set forth. a

9. The combination of the motor, breakwheel, and contact-spring of an individualsignal box, a time-register connected with said break-wheel and spring by an electric circuit, an additional contact-arm moved by the motor, and a contact-plate in a circuit open at the box only,- engaged by said arm under a greater movement thereof than-is given in the normal operation of the breakwheel, andcontrolling the circuit of other electrical apparatus, substantially as set forth.

-an engine-valve controlled by said magnet,

substantially as set forth.

'11. In an electric'protective and signaling system, the combination of individual-signal transmitters having break-Wheels, and contact-springs connected with a register, and additional contact devices operated by the motors of the boxes and connected with an electro-magnet controlling an engine valve,

substantially as set forth.

12. In an electric protective and signaling system, the combination of iridividual-signal transmitters having break-wheels, and com tact-springs connected with a register, and additional contact devices operated'by the motor of the box and connected with an electro-magnet controlling a fire-extinguishing apparatus, substantially as set forth.

13. In an electric protective and signaling system, the combination of the motor, break- Wheel,.and contact-spring of an individualsignal box, the signal-receiver connectedwith said break-wheel and spring by an electric circuit, an additional contact-arm b,'oper-- ated by the motor of the box, two contactplates in the path .of movement of said arm, circuits extending from said plate, electrical apparatus in each of said circuits, and an additional circuit-controllerin one of said circuits, substantially as set forth.

14. Inan electric protective and signaling system, the combinationof a circuit extending throughout a building, a magnet in said circuit operating a time-register, another circuit including a magnet controlling an engine-valve, and individual-signal transmitters having their break-wheels and contactsprings in the first-mentioned circuit, and'additional contact making and breaking devices in the last-mentioned circuit,-snbstantially as set forth.

15. The combination of an individual-signal box having a motor and break-wheel operated by the motor, and a contact-spring,with two additional circuit-closing devices operated by successive further movements of the handle and each controlling the circuit of an electrical apparatus, and an additional circuitcontroller in the circuit of the foremost of said devices, substantially asset forth.

16. In an electric protective system,the combination of the n'iain battery, a circuit extending therefrom including a magnet operating a time-register and the break-wheels and contact springs of individual signal boxes, another circuit including a magnet controlling an engine-valve, additional contact-makers in the signal-boxes, another circuit including a magnet-controllin g fire apparatus, and still other contact-makers in the signal-boxes, and an additional circuit-controller at each box for the last-named circuit, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination of an individual-signal box having a motor, a contact device operated by the motor, a contact-spring, a handle for setting the motor in operation, and a CHARLES E. OXGLEY.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM PELZER, ll. W. SEELY.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 443,790, granted December 30, 1890,

upon the application of Charles E. Ongley, of Yonkers, New York, for an improvement in Electric Protective and Signaling Systems, were erroneously issued to said Ongley as sole owner of the said invention; that said Letters Patent should have been issued to said Charles E. Ongley and Thomas W. Robertson, jointly, each being owner of one-half interest as shown by the record of assignments in this office; and that said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed, conntersigned, and sealed this 24th day of March, A. D. 1891.

[sEAn] CYRUS BUSSEY,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Conntersig'ned O. E. MITCHELL,

Commissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 443,790, granted December 30, 1890, upon the application of Charles E. Ongley, of Yonkers, New York, for an improvement in Electric Protective and Signaling Systems, were erroneously issued to said Ongley as sole owner of the said invention that said Letters Patent should have been issued to said Charles E. Ongley and Thomas W. Robertson, jointly, each being owner of one-half interest, as shown by the record of assignments in this office; and that said Iietters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 24th day of March, A. D. 1891.

CYRUS BUSSEY, Assistant Secretary of the Interior.

[SEAL] Oountersigned O. E. MITCHELL,

Commissioner of Patents. 

